Must Read Feminist Books

The mind of a feminist is more powerful and open-minded than most others. Why? Their main focus in life is to gain equalization for both genders — to demolish gender roles, stereotypes, and everything else that's preventing women from being themselves. As sad as it is, we do need feminism in this world, because certain parts of society have a backwards mentality that can't fathom certain things when it comes to gender roles — in which case they need to understand the guide to feminism. And this strived numerous feminist writers to write down their thoughts in the form of stories to pass on significant messages.

A story coming from a feminist writer is almost always meaningful to both the writer and the reader. These books can encourage female readers to learn from what they've read and pit it into action. These stories are definitely also relatable when it comes to events certain females or individuals have gone through. Reading any feminist book will surely expand your mind and cause you to become more liberal! Now that I have your attention, check out any of these must read feminist books to really engage in and understand why you need feminism today.

Gay has written a collection of funny, spot-on essays, criticism, and other stories about a young woman growing up. These essays are events and moments from her journey into becoming a black woman. She also takes the reader into how culture was back a few years ago and compares it to feminism today.

Not only is this collection of stories brilliant to any woman reading, but they, too, will understand how it was like growing up in Gay’s society and culture while she tries to understand herself, as well — making Bad Feminist one of the best must read feminist books.

Women today, without a doubt, have succeeded so much compared to women in the past decades. Many of them have jobs, some are even breadwinners, collecting money to help their families. Women in the past were strictly homemakers and weren’t taken seriously when they talked about working.

However, famous feminist writer and journalist Naomi Wolf put together an amazing story that explains how the modern woman is trapped into believing that she must fulfill society’s expectations for women to be nothing more than “the flawless beauty.”

Captivating, this book is easily one of the must read feminist books in the list.

The title, How to Be a Woman, is certainly the best description for this book. It shows just how difficult it is to be the modern woman. From menstrual situations to stereotyping, this fantastic books really gets into detail on how women are perceived even today through many incidences in the journey of women.

In this book, even author Caitlin Moran gives her very own stories from her life. Events that will definitely have you saying, "Yes!" or, "I totally feel you." Through comedic tales and meaningful lessons, this book will definitely teach anyone how it truly is to be a woman in current days.

Sister Outsider tells a story through a collection of 15 essays and speeches all revolving around sexism, racism, ageism, homophobia, and class — all of which are placed in different situations and incidences. These collections are about taking action and making a change in society — to stop any hatred towards oneanother.

Her prose is incisive, unflinching, and lyrical while she’s explaining the struggles and how to pass on the message in hopes of making a change.

Out of the top must read feminist books, The Bell Jar is a fascinating story about a young girl, Esther Greenwood, who’s extremely talented, intelligent, beautiful, and very successful, until she slowly falls into a deep breakdown.

Plath brings the reader into witnessing Esther’s breakdown with so much intensity that she instantly becomes rational. One of the most penetrating stories that leads the reader into the darker side of human psyche. Not to mention that the book became a brilliant film in 1979.

This story about a young female writer tells the story about discovering her sexuality along with her creative drive in the meditative and cruel environment of New York City during its punk and indie days. With a ton of poetry in the mix, the story is hilarious, luring, and engaging to the fullest.

Inferno is definitely a great one out of the must read feminist books, because not only is the story as a whole intriguing and knowledgable, but readers in a similar situation can take Myles’ words and apply it to themselves — something all feminist books are there to pass on.

One of the most looked-up feminists and amazing author, bell hooks has created one of the best must read feminist books. Hooks digs deep into the female world and everything that revolves around it. From equality to culture, violence, class, politics, etc. hooks' critical analysis really shows readers the truth behind feminism and the main priority.

In Feminism Is for Everybody, hooks uncovers how beneficial feminism is in the world. Through equality and mutual respect, feminism isn't just for females, but for anyone who wants to gain respect and be and feel equal in life.

Kingston’s award-winning book revolves around a mix of autobiography and mythology of both herself and society. The classic is a portrayal of multiple identities. While her and her family live in California, she’s also living in a home of Chinese immigrants.

Her mother tells stories about the harsh reality of female suffrage. While Kingston lives to hear these tales, she grows and finds she has stories of her own. And along the way, she breaks away all myths and starts to understand her family’s past with herself in present day.

This is definitely one of the best must read feminist books on the list. Solnit shows readers the truth behind conversations between females and males. Men say and assume they know things well, wrongly assuming that women don’t. The book explores certain aspects between both genders and what goes on in their minds.

This hilarious and accurate book is ideal for any feminist who wants a good laugh at the stories ignorant men. Women are well aware that some men assume too much from women and this is the perfect book to sit down, page by page, and laugh and understand the mind of certain men.

Gender Trouble is a great choice on the list of must read feminist books. Judith Butler wrote this book that really gets into detail about feminism and all that revolves around it. It's the type of book that is for anyone who wants to study the contemporary feminist theory, and whoever is interested in the subject such as queer theory, politics of sexuality in culture, and much more. This powerful and insightful book is very informative on the gender in the modern world.